Rottnest

The Captain is on holiday and while he sits and enjoys his Martini and pickles (although not simultaneously) in the city they named twice he presents his pre-written series of travel blogs

Rottnest Island, Western Australia 

I grew up spending two weeks a year on this island, which was originally set aside as the people of WA's playground and when I started going it was a sandy old place of lattice cottages and children being allowed to do what they want. It was a place of relaxation and was endearingly charming and reassuring for meas a child, and for my parents who to the term holiday rhymes with Rottnest

I went through the Year 12's right of passage at the end of the school year on it and I had the good fortune to work on there in a couple of different roles so it has changed as I have changed. As all places it is the combination of the memories and locale. Although the locale is a strong persuader with the crystal clear water, laid back pace and the general happy vibe.

Terezin

The Captain is on holiday and while he sits and enjoys the Reubans in the city they named twice he presents his pre-written series of travel blogs

Terezin, Czech Republic

This is not a happy place but some places can be special for not being happy. For how they change us when we visit them.

Terezin was here they interned the Jewish children and artists in World War Two. A fact i didn't know till visiting and the awareness of that fact was what shook me from my very Australian isolationist view of war, pain and suffering to an awareness of how horrific it was.

If Australians gain only one thing from the grand Europe tour, that being an empathy then it is a good thing.No one should suffer like this or go through something like this. The children of Terezin produced some amazing art , poetry and music.

As someone who has worked with children for over two thirds of life I can never forget this place. I am yet to adequately respond to Terezin. I doubt I ever will

Leonora

The Captain is on holiday and while he sits an enjoys his Martini in the city they named twice he presents his pre-written series of travel blogs

Leonora - Western Australia 

 Leonora isn't a tourist destination. its a mining town, a place where they rip out gold from the Earth, a fairly disgusting pastime if you ask me. Leonora is beautiful in the starkly, harsh way that the centre of Western Australia, in fact Australia, can be. I spent two years working out there and have a great affection for the place and the people.

 

If you like your history its amazing, with the ghost town Gwalia on its doorsteps and the history of the gold boom all around and on the way you can see the Gormly art installation at Menzies. 

But as with all places, it is the people, and as seems to happen with me a lot, the children.

 

Edinburgh

The Captain is on holiday and while he sits and stuffs his face with Reubans in the city where the world meets he presents his pre-written series of travel blogs

Edinburgh, Scotland 

It's not the festivals, its not the books, its not the fantastic Mary Kings Close with its history, its not all the history, its not Arthurs Seat or Leith Walk or the fact I wrote a screenplay in the front room of my friends house living there. It's not the people, or the Rebus books or the amazing countryside around. All these things are fantastic reasons but they are not the reason. There is but one main reason I love Edinburgh

There's nothing quite like the way the Castle makes the city feel protected. (And the castle has an awesome tour and history but that's aside from the point)